What better represents BIG LOVE than famous couples, legendary love stories remembered long after their death or publication date? These stories have intrigued generations because they include more than acts of devotion, but are fraught with challenges, including great sacrifice, betrayal, or overwhelming odds.

 

Famous Couples in History

 

Jacob and Rachel

Circa 1700s BCE. This biblical couple traces its origin to the book of Genesis. Jacob falls in love with Rachel and agrees to serve her father for seven years for her hand. But when their wedding day arrives, Jacob discovers his father-in-law has deceived him, replacing Rachel with her older sister, Leah. Author Orson Scott Card captures their story in Rachel and Leah: Women of Genesis.

Samson and Delilah

Circa 1100 BCE. This biblical romance between Samson and Delilah comes from The Book of Judges. Samson, an Israelite judge with superhuman strength, falls in love with Delilah, who ultimately betrays him to his enemies. A fictionalized account of the story can be found in the novel, Delilah: Treacherous Beauty by Angela Hunt.

Marc Anthony and Cleopatra

Circa 1st century BCE. Over two thousand years after their death, the love story of Marc Anthony and Cleopatra remains one of the most memorable. The love affair between Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, and Marc Anthony, a Roman general and politician, contains all the intriguing elements; passion, power, loyalty, and betrayal. The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George retells their history.

Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

16th century AD. Will the western world ever get enough of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn? Henry’s obsession with Anne led to England splitting from the Catholic Church so Henry could divorce his first wife and marry Anne. Despite the many years this couple waited, the marriage was short-lived. However, their relationship changed the course of history. Check out their story as told by Hilary Mantel in Wolf Hall.

Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour

18th century AD. Madame Pompadour, although not of noble birth, became the mistress of Louis XV of France. While that fact in itself is not remarkable, what makes their story different is the power she wielded in shaping French politics and her influence on the arts. Even after their affair ended, she remained Louis XV’s closest confidante. Read their story in Madame de Pompadour by Nancy Mitford.

John and Abigail Adams

18th century AD. John Adams, one of the founding fathers of the United States of America and the second President, was devoted to his wife, Abigail. Their relationship, built on mutual respect and intellectual connection, spanned over five decades. A partnership of equals, Abigail was John’s closest advisor. The legacy of their love was immortalized in the many letters they wrote one another. Irving Stone tells their story in his novel Those Who Love.

Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine de Beauharnais

Late 18th century–early 19th century. Napoleon and Josephine’s story plays out against the backdrop of revolutionary France. Napoleon, a rising military general, was quickly taken with Josephine, a widow with connections in Parisian high society. Although theirs was a passionate relationship, it was fraught with infidelity. Ultimately, they divorced because Josephine could not produce an heir. Despite their divorce, their love continued. Read their story in The Josephine Bonaparte Collection by Sandra Gulland.

Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson

20th century. The story of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson has the makings of a fairy tale gone wrong. Theirs was a forbidden love because the law did not permit the king of England to marry a divorcee with a living ex-spouse. Edward chose to abdicate his throne rather than give up the love of his life. They lived in exile, always plagued by scandal, particularly for their sympathies with Nazi Germany. One novel that tells their story is Abdication by Juliet Nicolson.

BONUS: Philippe de Carteret and Margaret Harleston

Late 15th century. Although Philippe and Margaret’s story never made the list of great loves, I was taken by their story and wrote a novel about it. While little of their history is recorded, it contains a feat of bravery that speaks to the depth of their love, a feat that changed the course of history on the Isle of Jersey. I imagined their love story in my novel Betrayal of Trust.

 

Fictional Couples in Fiction

Romeo and Juliet

Set in 14th or 15th century Verona, Romeo and Juliet is one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays. One of fiction’s most recognizable couples, many American high school students study this play, a tragic tale of forbidden love because of the feud between their families.

Jamie and Claire Frasier

18th century. The Outlander series by Diane Gabaldon is the only time-travel couple on this list. Claire, a WWII nurse who is whisked back into the 18th century during the Jacobite Rising, marries Jamie Frasier for protection. Their love endures many challenges, and the books have been made into a popular TV series.

Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff

Set during the 18th and 19th century, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is the only gothic novel making this list. The novel spans 40 years, set against the harsh landscape of the Yorkshire Moors of Northern England. Heathcliff, an orphan, grows up with Catherine and they develop a tumultuous relationship. This romance is unlike the others. Throughout most of the book, Catherine is dead, but Heathcliff’s actions continue to be motivated by his obsession for a woman he could never have.

Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet

Set in the late 18th century, Pride and Prejudice is the only couple on this list whose story is written as a comedy. Their story has been a favorite for generations and made into a movie several times with many others taking inspiration from the novel. Jane Austen’s combination of romance, wit, social commentary, and brilliant characters has made it a timeless tale.

Ross and Demelza Poldark

Set during the late 18th–early 19th century on the rugged landscape of Cornwell, The Poldark Series features a romance between Ross, an aristocratic war veteran, and Demelza, a servant girl. The relationship between these flawed characters is fraught with challenges as they grapple with societal pressures, political intrigue, hardships, and a rapidly changing world.

Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara

Gone With the Wind is a beloved American saga, set against the American Civil War during the 19th century. Both Scarlett and Rhett are strong-willed and ambitious. Rhett knows what Scarlett is, vain, selfish, and not above manipulating men into marrying her, but he admires her determined and resilient spirit. And it is Rhett, Scarlett’s third husband, who finally captures her heart. The uncertain ending has sparked many conversations. Will they or won’t they get back together?

These unforgettable love stories, whether grounded in history or fiction, explore timeless themes of love, power, loss, and devotion. Each of the women in these stories has a mind and will of her own. These are not fairy tales of perfect love, but resonate because the relationships are complicated, often involving great sacrifice and hardship.

Who is your favorite romantic couple, real or fictional?